RI has slim chance against Italy in Fed Cup: Sarwono

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said the country has a slim chance in the Federation Cup match against Italy next month.

"With Yayuk Basuki's absence, our young players have a slim chance to beat the Italians because the visitors' rankings are higher," Sarwono told Antara in Surabaya.

Yayuk declined to play at the July 12 and July 13 match after the association decided to use clay courts. The world ranked 31 prefers to play on the rebound ace surface.

Sarwono said Yayuk's reason does not make any sense because all of Indonesia's best players started their career in the International Tennis Federation tournaments on clay.

The association has also received a letter from former non- playing captain and Yayuk's coach, Suharyadi, that he did not agree with the court selection.

Sarwono said: "We have decided to use the clay court for the Fed Cup match and the federation has also agreed. It's not a big deal whether she wants to play or not."

"If Yayuk doesn't play, we only have a slim chance to beat Italy," he said.

Indonesia will place its hope in its young players, who were selected two weeks ago. They are Wukirasih Sawondari, Wynne Prakusya, Eny Sulistyowati, Liza Andriyani, Agustine Limanto, Irawati M. Iskandar, Mimma Chernovita and Mudarwati.

Sarwono said the association would welcome Yayuk if she decided to play at the match.

He said the association's main goal is the 19th SEA Games, which will be held here from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19. (yan)